The first round of bidding for the new set of rights to broadcast the Premier League in the UK is to close on Friday, February 6.
The new deal, which covers three seasons beginning with 2016-17, will divide up the broadcast rights to 168 games per season, an increase of 14 games per season on the current agreement. The games are split into seven packages and although any broadcaster may bid for all seven packages, no single broadcaster will be allowed the rights to more than 126 matches.
The current deal is worth £3.018 billion - an increase of 77% on the previous agreement - and sees Sky broadcast 116 games a season, with BT Sport airing the remaining 38.
Bidding is expected to exceed £4 billion for the new packages, which for the first time will include up to 10 games per season broadcast on Friday nights. The rights to the Friday games are included in the same package as the Monday night games, which are currently broadcast by Sky.
Sky and BT are joined in the new round of bidding by a third broadcaster, the US-based Discovery Communications. Mostly known for its roster of documentary and educational channels, Discovery made moves in the sports market last year by acquiring a controlling stake in Eurosport and is now reportedly mulling making a serious bid for the Premier League, possibly in conjunction with cable operator Virgin Media.
"We'll be looking at everything," Discovery International president JB Perette told Broadcast magazine. "We'll remain disciplined because we understand that the sports world is one where the price of entry is high, with big-ticket items. We have great relationships with our distributors and we think there are ways for us to do it in partnership with others."
The new Premier League rights deal will still not include games that kick off at 3pm on Saturdays, a matter which remains under review by broadcast regulator Ofcom.
Neil Wilkes
